I went through many of python editors, and always came back to PyDev. Pydev in an plug-in to eclipse it comes with load of features, among them:
- Package Explorer showing outline for python modules
- Mylyn integration (separate feature: org.python.pydev.mylyn.feature)
- Jython and Python support!
- Support for scripting Pydev with Jython
- Nice PYTHONPATH configuration!
- Project and module creation wizards
- Ctrl+Shift+O: Organizes imports or sorts selection alphabetically
- Ctrl+Shift+F: Autoformat your code (preferences can be set)
- Python 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.0 syntax supported
- Pydev builders can be disabled
- Syntax highlighting
- Spell checking (depends on JDT for Eclipse 3.3)
- Hovering in errors shows descriptions
- Matching brackets highlighted.
- Parser errors marked in the task list
- Outline view with imports/functions/classes
- Tabs or spaces preference
- Smart indentation (indent and dedent)
- Navigation: keyboard shortcuts to previous or next function. Default: (Ctrl+Shift+Up and Ctrl+Shift+Down)
- Comment and uncomment commands (on the popup menu) and keybindings. Default: (Ctrl+3 and Ctrl+Shift+3)
- hyperlinks over functions//import statements
- Code folding
- Refactoring with bicycle repair man.
- Code Completion (Ctrl+Space)
- Templates Completion (Ctrl+Space Too)
- Go to definition with F3 (powered by bicycle repair man)
- Content Assistant (Ctrl+1)
- Code Coverage
- Pylint
- TODO tasks
- Background and current line color chooser.
I highly recommend using Pylint in pydev it really helps to keep the code good quality. Pylint analyzes your code and shows unnecessary variables and imports, provides helpers to clean up the code and many more.
To install pydev just add http://pydev.sourceforge.net/updates/ http://pydev.org/updates (see update below) link to eclipse by using software updates and addons option.
I’m using the nightly builds for eclipse (http://nightly.aptana.com/pydev/) because they always come with new features earlier than the main release but remember use it on your own responsibility. You can find how to setup pydev here. When your up and running with pydev download pylint from here don’t forget the necessary dependencies i.e: logilab-astng, logilab-common, links are on the pylint download site. The turn on pylint you have to add a path to lint.py file in pylint tab on pydev options in eclipse. After restart of eclipse you should see output from pylint on the eclipse console anytime when you save a python file.
Now enjoy the most powerful python IDE available :-)
UPDATE: since PyDev release 1.5 now the package have integrated a pyDev extensions… the new repository for eclipse containing the version 1.5 is :http://pydev.org/updates
I also added a post about the PyDev extensions see it here http://www.python-blog.com/2009/09/06/pydev-extension-now-open-source/
